Team Germany suffered a setback to their 2026 Olympic campaign in the early hours of Saturday morning.
After picking up a 3-1 victory over Team Denmark on Thursday, the Germans fell 4-3 to Team Latvia on Saturday morning, albeit it didn’t hurt their chances of outright winning Group C, but more on that in the takeaways.
On Thursday, Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game and later picked up an assist on the third goal. Late in the game, Draisaitl got on the board with an assist as Tim Stützle was able to score with the netminder pulled, Draisaitl’s third point of the tournament and Stützle’s third goal.
The game started off quite well for Team Germany, as Lukas Reichel opened the scoring just two minutes into the game. Former Edmonton Oiler Dominik Kahun picked up an assist, as did Lukas Kalble. With about four minutes left in the first period, Dans Ločmelis tied the game at one for Team Latvia.
It didn’t take long for Team Germany to restore that lead, as Kalble scored just a minute and eight second later, with Draisaitl’s childhood friend Frederik Tiffels picking up an assist on that goal. Ločmelis scored the game-tying goal midway through the second period, then Eduards Tralmaks and Renārs Krastenbergs scored about three minutes apart midway through the third period.
Team Germany scored late in the third period to cut the lead to one, but were unable to find the game-tying goal despite numerous chances to do so, as Draisaitl lost two key faceoffs in the final minute of the game.
Takeaways…
- Like with the game against Team Denmark on Thursday, Leon Draisaitl was arguably the best player on the ice. Although he was unable to find twine, he finished with a game-high 10 shots, over a third of Team Germany’s total shots. He also had numerous scoring opportunities, often missing the net on those chances.
- It was a very Edmonton-like game for Draisaitl, as he had 28:30 minutes of ice time, the most for any player on either team. Toward the end of the game, Team Germany loaded up with Stützle, J.J. Peterka, and Moritz Seider in an attempt to tie the game.
- Former Oiler Dominik Kahun picked up an assist in his 14 and a half minutes of ice time. The other former Oiler, Tobias Reider, played just eight minutes and took a penalty, finishing with two shots on goal.
- Current Oiler Josh Samanski played over 20 minutes of ice time, finishing with a shot on goal. Shortly before Team Latvia scored to make it 3-2 in the third period, Team Germany had a power play, with Samanski having the best opportunity on that man-advantage.
- Tough game for Philipp Grubauer between the pipes, as he allowed four goals on 22 shots for an .818 save percentage, a far cry from his performance on Thursday against Team Denmark.
- Winning Group C was always going to require Team Germany to defeat Team USA. That doesn’t change with the loss, because assuming that Team USA beats Team Denmark on Saturday, they’ll have six points to Germany’s three. If Germany wins that game in regulation, they’ll have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Team USA.
- In this hypothetical, things get a bit more confusing if Team Latvia also beats team Denmark, as all three teams will have finished with six points. Since the first tiebreaker with three teams is the points obtained in head-to-head games (all teams would have three points against one another), it’d come down to goal differential.
- That isn’t much of a concern at this point, because Team Germany needs to defeat Team USA before this is even a concern. That game is on Sunday at 1:10 PM MT on Sunday, the final game of the group stage for any team in the Olympics.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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Alarm clocks are going off across the country, Baileys is falling into coffees before the sun is fully up, and I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love it. Team Canada is back on the ice for Game 3 of the group stage against France, and while the boys have already locked up first place in Group A, there’s still work to be done. Olympic hockey mornings hit different, and I’m fired up about this one, even though I’m posting the preview on the site the night before the game.
With Friday’s 5-1 win over Switzerland and a 5-0 dismantling of Czechia the game before, Canada sits on six points and a tidy plus-nine goal differential through their first two matchups. Because they hold the head-to-head tiebreakers over both Switzerland and Czechia, there’s no scenario where they lose top spot in Group A, even if something weird happens on Sunday morning. The quarterfinal ticket has already been punched.
But don’t confuse clinched with the job being done.
Head coach Jon Cooper’s group will absolutely want to keep stacking regulation wins and scoring goals to lock in the best possible seeding for the knockout round. That matters. You don’t want to dominate the group stage only to hand yourself a tougher matchup in the elimination round because you took your foot off the gas against a team like France. This game still matters, even if the math is already sorted. While it’s no surprise to say we’re all expecting a win, there’s plenty of opportunity to still improve on some of the small details as Team Canada gears up for what’s next.
So far, Canada has looked every bit like the tournament favourite. The “depth” has scored some big goals. The power play has hummed. The goaltending has been calm and steady, with Jordan Binnington posting a shutout against Czechia and Logan Thompson turning aside 24 of 25 against Switzerland. And then there’s Connor McDavid, who is tied for the tournament points lead with six points after another casual goal-and-two-assist performance against the Swiss. Watching No. 97 do this in a Team Canada jersey has made the wait feel worth it, and watching the gold-fuelled fire in his eyes has been so much fun.
France, meanwhile, is 0-2 and very much the underdog in every possible way. They’re the 14th-ranked team in the IIHF, headed to Division IA at the World Championship this coming spring, and their roster simply doesn’t stack up to Canada’s. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, I’m just telling it like it is. Alexandre Texier is their lone NHL forward, and veterans like Stephane Da Costa and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare get leaned on heavily, which kinda tells you everything you need to know. They’ve got size on the back end, they’ll block shots, and their goaltenders are used to facing 40+ shots a night, but if Canada plays its game, this should tilt quickly.
That said, this isn’t a scrimmage.
You don’t build gold medal habits by sleepwalking through “scheduled wins.” France will play hard, they’ll be proud, and they’ll do everything they can to minimize the damage we’re all expecting to see. They’ll try to clog the neutral zone. They’ll try to frustrate and hang around. Canada’s job is to crush those hopes early. No lazy turnovers. No playing down to their opponent. No “we’ll flip the switch later” nonsense. Build a lead. Sharpen the details. Make sure that when the quarterfinals hit, you’re already operating at full throttle. Use this game against France as the next step down the path to gold.
But at the end of the day, let’s call this what it is: Sunday’s game should be an ass kicking. The roster gap is obvious. The skill gap is obvious. But the point of today’s game isn’t just to win, it’s to work on the details of their game as they head into the elimination rounds, while sending a message and keeping the machine running smoothly. Another dominant performance pushes the goal differential higher, locks in strong habits, and lets the rest of the tournament know exactly what’s coming.
And honestly, there’s something special about the whole country waking up early to watch this group truck through another opponent. There’s pride in it. There’s excitement in it. There’s nothing better than seeing McDavid, Crosby, MacKinnon, and the rest of this squad flying around in red and white while the rest of the world tries to keep up. This is an all-star-calibre hockey team playing for their country, and I cannot wait to drag myself out of bed to watch this thing go down. Am I expecting a blowout? Yes. Do I care? Not in the slightest.
So set the alarm, pour some Bailey’s in your coffee, and wrap yourself in the flag because this game against France is the last tune-up the boys will get before the intensity starts ramping up. This is a scheduled win. It just is. But let’s go watch Canada do Canada things and keep this train rolling into the knockout round.
LINE COMBINATIONS
Team Canada
Celebrini – McDavid – Wilson (???)
Hagel – MacKinnon – Suzuki
Marner – Crosby – Stone
Jarvis – Horvat – Reinhart
Toews – Makar
Theodore – Parayko
Harley – Doughty
Binnington
I’m interested to see what Jon Cooper does with Tom Wilson. Wilson looked like he tweaked something a little bit against Switzerland and ended up being replaced by Nathan MacKinnon for a few very productive shifts down the stretch. I wonder if the super-trio of Celebrini, McDavid, and MacKinnon is something he’d want to try out a few more times before the games start mattering for real.
Team France
Da Costa – Bellemare – Fabre
Texier – Boudon – Dair
Rech – Ritz – Bertrand
Douay – Addamo – Treille
Auvitu – Guebey
Boscq – Gallet
Chakiachvili – Cantagallo
Neckar
With one active and a couple of former NHLers on the roster, Team France is going to be in tough against a Canadian squad that’s littered with future Hall of Famers. If anything, I just hope these boys go out there and have a good time. Maybe ask for Crosby’s autograph after the game or something, you know?
WHERE TO WATCH
Canada vs. France goes live at 8:40 a.m. MST from the Milano Santagiulia Arena in Milan, Italy, with pre-game coverage kicking off about 10 minutes before puck drop. You can catch the game on CBC, Sportsnet One, TSN 1, or stream it on CBC Gem, Sportsnet+, or TSN. If you’ve got cable through Bell or Rogers, you’re covered.
TONIGHT
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 12, 2026; Milan, Italy; Nathan Mackinnon of Canada scores their fourth goal past Lukas Dostal of Czechia in a men’s ice hockey Group A match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar/Reuters via Imagn Images
Game Day Prediction: This is going to be a 10-1 blowout. It’s coming. It’s happening.
Obvious Game Day Prediction: Connor McDavid picks up a third consecutive three-point game.
Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: Yohann Auvitu goal as a shout out to the Decade of Darkness!
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As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue in Italy, Edmonton Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are making their long‑awaited Olympic debuts. But, a third Oiler has joined them at these Games: NHL rookie Josh Samanski.
The undrafted 23‑year‑old forward has had a rather unique journey, one that has now carried him onto hockey’s biggest stages in the NHL and the Olympics. Born in Erding, Germany, Samanski dominated the German U16 ranks as a young player, producing a whopping 106 points in 36 games with the Jungadler Mannheim U16 team in 2017-18. He would then arrive in North America, spending one season with the Brantford 99ers of the OJHL in 2018-19, and then one season with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL in 2019-20. But following this junior stint in Ontario, Samanski returned to Germany, proceeding to play four consecutive seasons with the Straubing Tigers of the DEL, Germany’s top league. In particular, he had an excellent campaign in the 2024-25 season in which he recorded 40 points in 52 games. Then, in April of 2025, the Edmonton Oilers signed him to a two‑year, $1.95M contract.
Samanski has spent the majority of the 2025-26 season with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL, producing 28 points in 39 games and playing strong two-way hockey. His performance helped earn him an NHL recall on January 26, 2026, bringing him up to the Oilers ahead of the Olympic break. He appeared in five NHL games before the pause, and is now in Milan, representing Team Germany at the Winter Games alongside Draisaitl.
However, it is unclear if Samanski will have a regular role with Edmonton after the Olympics. He was sent back down to Bakersfield following Edmonton’s most recent game, but although this is likely just a paper transaction, there is no guarantee he will be recalled to the NHL. Considering that he only averaged 9 minutes in the five NHL games he played, he hasn’t exactly earned the coaching staff’s full trust yet.
So, what should the Oilers do here? Should Samanski remain in Bakersfield, or does he deserve a greater opportunity with Edmonton?
Now, before we attempt to answer this question, let us briefly discuss the performance of Edmonton’s bottom-six thus far this season, which has… not been good.
Without McDavid and Draisaitl on-ice at 5-on-5, the Oilers have been out-scored 32 to 60. That equates to a 35 percent goal share, the absolute worst it has ever been in the McDavid and Draisaitl era. It has even somehow managed to rank below the teams during the Peter Chiarelli era.
There have been multiple bottom-six forwards who have greatly disappointed this season. Most notably, Trent Frederic has had a disastrous season to date, recording a mere 3 points in 55 games, with his underlying numbers not ranking any better. After Frederic, Mattias Janmark ranks second-last among the team’s forwards in 5-on-5 goal share, with the Oilers being out-scored 8 to 18 with him on-ice, a 31 percent goal share. Adam Henrique is at a similar spot with a 32 percent goal share.
Now, what about Samanski?
Through five NHL games thus far, Samanski has recorded 2 points, a 57 percent goal share (4 goals for, 3 goals against), and a 59 percent faceoff win percentage. His advanced underlying numbers are even better, as his expected goal share is 59 percent and his shot share is a fantastic 68 percent, the latter of which means that the Oilers have controlled over two-thirds of the 5-on-5 shots with Samanski on-ice. By eye, he has skated and forechecked well.
Of course, five games is a tiny sample, far too small to draw firm conclusions. But that being said, it’s absolutely worth noting that Samanski also had a 56 percent goal share at even-strength in Bakersfield (per Allan Mitchell / Lowetide).
Furthermore, despite not playing for Bakersfield in several weeks, he still sits tied for first on the Condors with 22 even‑strength points per AHL Tracker. In fact, at the time of his NHL recall, he actually ranked sixth in the entire AHL in five‑on‑five scoring (per Bruce Curlock on January 26). He is also gaining valuable experience in the Olympics, skating on Draisaitl’s wing and averaging over 20 minutes after two games.
All things considered, if the question is why the Oilers should give Samanski a bigger role, my answer is simple: why not?
To this point, Samanski has done everything asked of him. He has produced in the DEL, he has been an even better 5-on-5 producer at the AHL level, and he has driven play in limited minutes in the NHL thus far. Alongside his production, Samanski also brings size, strong forechecking, and responsible defensive awareness, traits that can be extremely beneficial for a bottom-six group that has allowed goals against all season. This is also a player that will come back with a boost of confidence after logging huge minutes at the Olympics against some of the world’s best.
And really, what’s the harm in giving him a greater opportunity? I can’t see him performing worse than Frederic, Janmark and Henrique have at 5-on-5 this season, all of whom sit well below replacement-level in goal share. We already know what Frederic, Janmark, and Henrique are at this stage of the season, while Samanski, on the other hand, is much more an unknown, one who has shown well in limited minutes. What do you have to lose by giving him a bigger shot?
In the worst-case scenario, Samanski merely performs at the same level as the existing depth options, which leaves the Oilers no worse off and gives them useful information they didn’t have before.
In the best‑case scenario, they discover that they have a legitimately effective 23-year-old depth forward at the NHL level, one that can provide value on both sides of the puck. Perhaps there is even a chance he could be the reliable 3C that Edmonton’s third-line desperately needs.
All-in-all, Samanski has performed well in the minutes that he has played thus far, and there is virtually zero downside to giving him a bigger opportunity before the playoffs to see what he can truly do. We’ll see in less than two weeks if the coaching staff will agree.
*All data via Natural Stat Trick and Elite Prospects unless stated otherwise
Find me on Twitter (@NHL_Sid)
Team Canada’s men’s hockey team took care of business at the Olympics on Sunday, hammering France 10-2 to secure top spot in the tournament standings and a bye to the quarterfinals.
Canada wrapped up group stage play with a perfect 3-0 record, defeating France, Switzerland, and Czechia by a combined score of 20-3.
Connor McDavid leads the tournament with nine points in three games in his Olympic debut, while Sidney Crosby passed Jarome Iginla for the most Olympic points by a Canadian NHL player in his third appearance at the Games. Macklin Celebrini also made history, becoming the youngest player ever to score on a penalty shot at the Olympics at 19 years old.
HISTORY!! Captain wanted to join in on the fun and set a record in the process
Crosby is now the Canadian NHLer with the most points at the Olympicspic.twitter.com/7tVLYZXs0Z
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 15, 2026
Canada will now await the winner of Tuesday’s qualification-round matchup between Czechia and Denmark. Czechia finished third in Group A after a 5-0 loss to Canada, an overtime loss to Switzerland, and a win over France. Denmark placed third in Group C, beating Latvia while falling to the United States and Germany.
USA in second place after win over Germany
The United States also swept its group with three wins in three games but finished second overall behind Canada due to goal differential.
After Canada’s dominant win over France, the U.S. needed a double-digit victory over Germany to match Canada’s differential. Instead, they cruised to a 5-1 win, clinching top spot in Group C and second place in the overall standings.
Auston Matthews leads Team USA with three goals and five points in three games. Matthew Tkachuk has five assists, Quinn Hughes has four points from the blue line, and Connor Hellebuyck has stopped 40 of 42 shots in his two starts for a .952 save percentage.
The U.S. will face the winner of Tuesday’s qualification-round game between Sweden and Latvia in the quarterfinals. Germany will take on France, with the winner advancing to face Slovakia.
Slovakia wins three-way tie at the top of Group B
Group B delivered the tournament’s most dramatic finish, with Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden all posting identical 2-0-1 records.
Slovakia opened with a win over Finland, Finland responded by defeating Sweden, and Sweden closed the circle by beating Slovakia. All three handled Italy, forcing the tiebreaker down to goal differential in games between the tied teams. Thanks to a late goal in their loss to Sweden, Slovakia narrowly claimed top spot.
SWEDEN WINS, BUT A LAST-MINUTE GOAL BY SLOVAKIA JUST WON THEM THE GROUPpic.twitter.com/amvb8r5PKG
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) February 14, 2026
Finland also earned a bye as the top second-place team in the tournament and will face the winner of Switzerland versus Italy in the quarterfinals.
Canada seeking rematch with USA in women’s hockey
On the women’s side, the headline moment of the tournament remains the United States’ 5-0 dismantling of defending gold medalist Canada during group play.
The Americans finished 4-0 with a dominant 20-1 goal differential to claim top spot in the standings. Both teams advanced comfortably through the quarterfinals and now move on to Monday’s semifinals, with Canada facing Switzerland and the United States taking on Sweden.
If both favorites advance, the tournament will deliver the rematch everyone expected, and one that now carries even more edge given how the U.S. has dominated the head-to-head lately.
How would Team Canada do without Connor McDavid?
Now Canada would be fine, obviously. Luckily, we don’t have to find out.
But the absolute dominance that McDavid has displayed in just three games is arguably the best three-game stretch for any NHL player in the Olympics.
Usually, offence cannibalizes on a stacked team like this. With McDavid, it’s quite the opposite.
Not only does he have nine points and is just two away from tying the NHLers record at an Olympics, held jointly by Teemu Selanne and Mikko Koivu from the 2006 games, but the number of scoring chances he’s contributed is off the charts.
He’s been involved in 32 scoring chances, according to the Hockey PDOcast, for first in the tournament, just one more than Leon Draisaitl for Germany. Then, there’s a gap to William Nylander and David Pastrnak.
Simply, McDavid is buzzing in ways that are not seen at this Olympic level.
Sidney Crosby broke Jarome Iginla’s point record for a Canadian at the Olympics after three points against France, making it 17 total.
What are the odds that McDavid could break that mark this tournament?
He would need nine points in three games, plus however many more Crosby is sure to gain. I’m just saying…
Celebrini
I was with my junior team this weekend for a three-game trip in Calgary, Canmore, and Olds. While watching Macklin Celebrini score the shootout goal in my hotel room the thought clicked in my head.
It’s an obvious point, but I’d never thought of it like this: Celebrini is younger than several of the kids on my team.
Three goals in three games at the Olympics? Unbelievable.
James Duthie’s new book Certified Beauties, a great light read for hockey stories, had an excellent chapter on Celebrini. Duthie relayed on-air the anecdote that at five-years-old Celebrini was hitting balls into his neighbour’s yard and told his uncle that someday people were going to pay to watch him.
I’ll share a more amusing tale from the book that made me laugh.
In the lead-up the Brick Invitational Tournament, with a bunch of kids who didn’t know each other are nervously staring around the dressing room before practice. Nine-year-old Macklin stands up and allegedly says:
“All righty, boys, listen up. We have one rule in this dressing room. There’s no f—ing swearing!”
Outmatched nations stand up
This Olympic tournament has been fantastic, but I’ve talked to a few people who seem disconnected from it being in Europe and the timezone change.
The awkward times make the tournament feel global, at least for me. Yeah, the gold medal game on Sunday is going to be at 6:00AM and that isn’t ideal. But that’s the way she goes, Bubbles.
The best aspect of the group stage was how each country either won a game or put a scare in their opponent at one point or another.
Only France and Italy went winless, and both were either tied (beyond 0–0) or winning against a much stronger team in the second period. Denmark and Latvia both won games, and Slovakia upset their group for the number one seed in Pool B.
Underdog stories, learning about the complete unknowns on the world stage, that is the beauty of the Games.
Yes, we all love seeing our favourite pros. As Edmonton Oilers fans, we get to share Connor McDavid with the rest of the country. We wait with anticipation for the chance of seeing Canada win a third straight gold medal at best-on-best.
But appreciate the greatness of Leonardo Genoni, the Swiss goalie who came off one of the great goaltending performances in international history at the 2025 World Championships, then registered the oldest shutout at the Olympics at 38 years old against France.
How about his 29 stops for the Swiss to beat Czechia and secure a five-seed?
How about Roman Cervanka at 41 playing his fifth Olympics for the Czechs?
How about Slovakia, which might be as hockey crazy per capita as any country on Earth, just one win away from a medal game?
If you love the game, this tournament has been spectacular, and the stakes are just about to rise.
Don’t get me wrong, the insanity of the three fights in nine seconds between Canada and the US at the 4 Nations was great. Using the NHL rulebook would be a benefit. But that tournament was four countries and not the world (excluding Russia and Belarus who hopefully one day can return).
With that said, if there are more World Cups, I’d love to see a best-of-three final. Imagine Canada vs United States multiple times for supremacy…
Provocative behaviour?
Speaking of the NHL rulebook and fighting internationally, we saw a kinda-sorta fight between Canada’s Tom Wilson and France’s Pierre Crinon, after a hit from behind on Nathan MacKinnon earlier had the Avalanche star looking a little worse-for-wear.
While the IIHF did not add extra discipline, France’s own hockey federation went nuclear on Crinon, suspending him for the rest of the tournament.
“Pierre Crinon’s provocative behavior upon leaving the ice, even though he had just been ejected from the game for fighting, constitutes a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport,” a press release said on Monday.
Apparently Crinon is somewhat of a pest in France’s top division, having been suspended seven games earlier this season for punching a maskless goalie several times and injuring his eye.
Why did France pick him if not to provoke?
Alas, it’s unlikely France gets past Germany on Tuesday in the knockout round. Perhaps it’s best in case Crinon had eyes towards Draisaitl…
Slovakia’s charm
Having no family ties to the country, I’ve always had a soft spot for Slovakia in international tournaments. They are an essentially alberta-sized population and I remember in 2010 when they gave the Canada a major scare in the semi-final.
With Canada ahead 3-0 in the third period, Lubomir Visnovsky scored with 8:25 left. Then Michal Handzus drew Slovakia within one with 4:53 remaining.
That led to a frantic empty-net finish where Slovakia pressed for the equalizer. Pavol Demitra, with just seconds remaining, had a rebound chance at the side of the goal that Roberto Luongo denied with a desperation pad save.
Canada held onto win and Slovakia finished fourth.
For my money, that is the greatest under-discussed moments in hockey. Luongo makes a dynamic and thrilling save to clinch a win, and stones one of the most underrated players of all-time in Demitra. No overtime, no sudden death.
That Slovakia team was the crowning jewel of that country’s generation, loaded with talent: Marian Hossa, Pavol Demitra, Zdeno Chara, Marian Gaborik, Miroslav Satan, Ziggy Palffy, Jaroslav Halak, and on and on.
Halak cried after the 2014 Olympics saying no one was coming after this group. Over a decade later – and a bronze in 2022 – Slovakia wins their group in 2026 spearheaded by a 22-year-old Simon Nemec, 21-year-old Juraj Slavkofvsky, and 20-year-old Dalibor Dvorsky.
This Olympics might be a cycle too early, but I wouldn’t rule out a medal run this occasion either.
He scored how many?
Before there was Connor McDavid, there was Harry Watson.
Harry Watson owns the record for most points at an Olympics, and they didn’t even track his assists! At the 1924 Olympics in Chamonix, France, Watson scored 37 goals in six games, and it’s believed his assists would’ve totalled nine.
Canada won gold – their lone gold of that Games – and in six games defeated their opponents by a total score of 132-3 in games played outdoors. Pretty, pretty good.
Watson played senior hockey in Toronto, and his Allan Cup-winning team was selected to the Olympics, but he always refused to play professionally.
He turned down the NHL to the tune of $10,000 in 1924-25, which equates to roughly $183,000 in today’s dollars. Getting paid to play sports was viewed as gauche by many in that era.
Watson also fought in World War I and was a fighter ace in the Royal Flying Corps.
That’s hockey, baby.
Un-Warren-ted
A note on the Edmonton Oilers.
The topic du jour last week of the the Oilers trading Andrew Mangiapane for struggling ex-pat Warren Foegele is no solution to the Oilers problem of creating cap space. Nor does it solve the issue of having a productive player for the money Edmonton is spending.
Foegele had some moments here, there’s no doubt, scoring 20 goals in 2023-24. This year, at $3.5 million, he’s produced six goals and eight points in 43 games.
But the magic trick Stan Bowman has to pull is finding a way to kill that money, so any trade that’s made actually fills a need. I suspect that’s why Mangiapane hasn’t be traded in the first place. The interest is nil without taking back another struggling player.
If so, then Bowman has to include Mangiapane in the trade that is aimed at improving the team, embargoing him with picks and whatever else to make the salary cap work.
I’ve said it before, I’m not sure how he’s going to do it.
Jeff Skinner is on waivers for the purpose of contract termination. Six goals and 13 points in 32 games for a player who can’t seem to find footing on a team for the second time in a row. He was healthy scratched for ten straight games.
With Knoblauch as the coach, there’s no fit for Skinner here.
Practices can begin Tuesday for NHL teams. Hopefully mini-camp for a player like Trent Frederic, whose foot speed is improving, be just the ticket to productivity in the final 24 games.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and has been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, he also collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues.
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Canada breezed through the preliminary round, going 3-0, outscoring Czechia, Switzerland and France 20-3 and outshooting them 121-65.
They were expected to dominate, and they did, but now they enter the playoff round and another date with Czechia. The Czechs defeated Denmark 3-2 yesterday, and they will be looking for a better performance than their 5-0 loss to Canada last Wednesday.
Canada is the clear favourite, but in a one-game winner-take-all, upsets are easier than in a seven-game series. I don’t expect Canada to take Czechia lightly. Canada has been in control of every game thus far and hasn’t looked overconfident or lacking in focus at any point. Czechia doesn’t have the top-end talent of Canada, or the depth, and I expect Canada to control the game.
Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett didn’t practice yesterday, but head coach Jon Cooper said it was just maintenance and expects them to play today. Josh Morrissey also skated, but Cooper wouldn’t commit to him being available yet. He said he needed to check on his status. If any of them are ailing too much, it makes sense to rest them for Friday’s semifinal. Canada has enough depth to absorb MacKinnon sitting out a game, if need be, but ideally, he is in the lineup.
Through three games, Connor McDavid has been unstoppable. He has nine points in three games and has already set a new benchmark for Canadian NHLers in the Olympics. Jonathan Toews had the previous mark of eight points, while Finland’s Teemu Selanne owns the record for most points in a tourney with 11. McDavid will surely break that mark before the tournament is over. He arrived early to Milan to allow him more time to adjust to the time zone, and he’s been dialled in every game. He and youngster Macklin Celebrini have found instant chemistry. Celebrini leads Canada with four goals and is one shy of Tying Jarome Iginla’s mark for most goals by a Canadian (NHL edition) in one tournament. Iginla had five goals in 2010.
Celebrini is second on Canada in points with 4-2-6, followed by Sidney Crosby (2-4-6), Nathan MacKinnon (2-3-5), Mark Stone (2-2-4), Cale Makar (1-3-4) and Mitch Marner (0-4-4). The McDavid/Celebrini combination has been great, but so has the line of Stone-Crosby-Marner. They’ve become Cooper’s reliable line. They’ve started two of the three games and will likely be the line he plays against David Pastrnak’s today. McDavid or MacKinnon’s line could play against Czechia’s top line as well, but why not have them in major mismatches against Czechia’s second and third lines?
While some claim Canada hasn’t been tested, they haven’t looked like a team who is overconfident or underestimating their opponents. Expect it to continue in their second meeting in a week against Czechia.
SNAPSHOTS…
— The most points by a Canadian in any Olympics is 37 points set by Harry Watson in 1924. Granted, Canada dominated that tournament with Czechoslovakia 30-0, Sweden 22-0, Switzerland 33-0 in the preliminary round, then they beat Great Britain 19-2 in the semifinal and defeated the USA 6-1 in the final.
Canada scored 110 goals in the tournament and Watson factored in on 33.6 per cent of them. So far McDavid has factored in on 45 per cent of Canada’s 20 goals. Just a reminder to Edmonton Oilers fans who think the Oilers rely too much on McDavid when he factors in on 50-55 per cent of their goals. He’s just that good.
— Brad Marchand practised yesterday and Cooper said he is available to play. If Marchand is ready to play, I think Seth Jarvis will come out of the lineup.
— There were no upsets in yesterday’s qualifying round. Germany beat France 5-1 with Leon Draisaitl leading the way with 1-2-3 while Josh Samanski chipped in with 1-1-2. Switzerland defeated Italy 3-0, Czechia downed Denmark 3-2 and Sweden beat Latvia.
The quarterfinals will feature 1 v. 8 in Canada and Czechia, then USA (#2) v. Sweden (#7), Slovakia (#3) v. Germany (#6) and Finland (#4) v. Switzerland. If Canada defeats Czechia, they will face the lowest remaining seeded team, meaning they will play either Sweden, Germany or Finland in the semifinal.
— Interesting thought process from Czechia’s Martin Necas. “We let them win the first one because we know we’re not going to win two in a row against Canada.” He’s correct in that it was highly unlikely they’d beat Canada twice in a row. I understand why he says this because he and his teammates need to believe they can win. They will be a heavy underdog, but if they don’t think they can win, they have zero chance of winning.
— Stone has had an excellent Olympics. He had 60 points in 41 regular season NHL games, and his 1.46 points/game is just below Celebrini’s 1.47. Had Stone not missed 16 games, I doubt those who questioned his inclusion on the Olympic team would have said anything. Stone’s passion and relentless work ethic along with underrated offensive skills is why Vegas will be a contender in the playoffs. I’d love to see another Edmonton/Vegas matchup in the second round of the NHL playoffs.
LINEUPS…
Canada
Celebrini – McDavid – Wilson
Hagel – MacKinnon – Reinhart
Marner – Crosby – Stone
Marchand – Horvat – Suzuki
Bennett
Toews – Makar
Theodore – Parayko
Harley – Doughty
Morrissey?
Binnington
I won’t be surprised to see Morrissey play. Also the second and fourth lines might be different as MacKinnon didn’t practice yesterday. Tom Wilson is loving his Olympic experience and playing with McDavid. “Playing with Connor has been a highlight of my career,” said Wilson. “A day like today (practice yesterday), Connor and Sid (Crosby) are the hardest-working guys, executing at the highest level in practice. I’m going to try and take it all in, learn as much as I can.”
The benefit of being around the best players in the NHL is even other high quality players can improve and learn. Celebrini spoke about how playing with Crosby at the World’s last spring helped him and this tournament will only make him better, which is great news for Sharks fans, but scary for other teams.
Czechia
Necas – Hertl – Pastrnak
Palat – Kampf – Kase
Cervenka – Sedlak – Tomasek
Stransky – Faksa – Kubalik
FlekSimek – Hronek
Kempny – Gudas
Rutta – Spacek
Tichacek
Dostal
I’m surprised Czechia has started Lucas Dostal in every game. They never gave Karel Vejemlka one start this tournament. Dostal started yesterday and now will have to be amazing to pull off the huge upset. That’s a big ask.
THIS MORNING…
Photoshop: Tom Kostiuk
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Canada moves to the semifinals with a 5-1 victory.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid and Celebrini combine on another goal, Celebrini’s fifth of the tournament.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Mitch Marner scores his first Olympic goal.
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It was another home-and-home matchup in the extremely tight Pacific between the Bakersfield Condors and the San Diego Gulls this weekend.
After splitting the two games, the Condors and Gulls remain six points apart, with San Diego having two games in hand. This opens up a bigger conversation about how close the Pacific division is in the AHL this season. Sitting at the top of the division are the Colorado Eagles (64 points in 46 games) and the Ontario Reign (64 points in 49 games), and the Condors sit at third with 59 points. Which means Bakersfield is only seven points up on seventh place and five points out of first place… the most crowded division in the AHL is also the tightest race so far. Every game matters, but these divisional matchups start to become early playoff games. For example, last week in my article, I talked about how the back-to-back losses to the Reign are an eight-point swing and any more weekends like that can be crushing down the line.
In other news, Atro Leppänen made his 2026 debut as the Finnish defenceman suited up on Friday and even had a season-high six shots on net, but he was out of action for the game on Saturday. By my count, the offensive defenceman missed 18 straight before returning Friday, and maybe the team didn’t want him playing in a back-to-back, just something to note. With the win on Saturday, the Condors snapped a small three-game losing streak. I can’t help but notice the slow starts and how long it takes for the offence to get going. During their losses, they have bad first periods, and then they are fighting from behind for the rest of the game. There’s a lot of perimeter play during the early moments of the game and a few too many point shots. When the Condors are on the offence is hard to stop, but lately it’s almost as if they need a feeling-out period.
Isaac Howard – Winger
With only a goal on the weekend, it may seem the Oilers’ top winger prospect had a quiet set of games, I found him to be one of the better Condors during the weekend. Howard continues to score at a great rate, and he is now sitting at 13 goals and 31 points in 24 games played. Last weekend against the Reign, the former Hobey Baker winner didn’t register a shot during the home-and-home (which are the only two games in the AHL where Howard didn’t record a single shot), but he did pick up the two assists.
The first thing I want to focus on is the continued growth of Isaac Howard’s game. I believe the Ice Man is starting to read his environment better and recognize the little amount of space he will have in the NHL. Being a “smaller” winger getting inside position, being tenacious, and having the outside edge work to cut on a dime and maintain strength/balance through the turns is almost a necessity at the next level if you want to have success. The first clip below illustrates this growth in his game.
Small cutbacks and getting on the inside of opponents will be key for Howard moving up the ranks, the good thing is that he has shown excellent lower-body strength when pressure is on his back. In the next clip below it’s about what I said earlier referring Howard learning his environment and where he should be on the ice to get the puck.
Its a powerplay goal, but this sort of mentality and pattern recognition can translate to 5v5 offence. Howard looks to his right and notices Viljami Marjala going to the back post and taking the defender with him, once Quinn Hutson cuts through the slot to the goal line, Howard backs up ever so slightly creating a wide open lane for captain Griffith to slide him a pass. Of course it’s always nice to see the shot of Howard, but knowing how to score is more important than any shooting mechanic. But as we all by know by now that progression isn’t a straight line and there will always be room to grow, that leads us into our next clip of the Bakersfield star. Howard steals the puck and has a clear lane to the net, but decides to stop up instead.
Quinn Hutson is trailing the play and the former Spartan recognizes this, however I would still prefer for him to rip this puck ten out of ten times with the shot Howard possesses. Even if you want to play the pass a heavy low shot will generate a rebound in the direction of Huston. This was the only time this weekend I found myself scratching my head, but its just one bad decision. For our final clip I just want to showcase the skill Howard continues to put on display.
After beating both defenders, the former Michigan State star slides a slick backhand pass through a thin opening to Quinn Hutson for a chance. Isaac Howard continues to grow and I can still see the middle-six scoring winger in him. Even his defensive game is continuing to round out. The Oilers top winger prospect continues to shine at the AHL level.
James Hamblin – Centre
James Hamblin is the definition of hard-work. The Condors centre is now up to 17 goals on the year and is currently riding a seven game point streak scoring six goals and assisting on four others. Ever since his days in Medicine Hat with the Tigers Hamblin has always worked just as hard in the defensive zone as he does in the offensive zone; whatever is asked of the five-foot-nine centre he does with no issue.
Hamblin is a bit older to be considered a true prospect, but there is a world where he is a solid depth option for an NHL team down the road. The size and not elite footwork will always hamper his potential, but the defensive awareness and work ethic will go a long way. Lately, Hamblin has been stretching out his offensive muscles and it continued on the weekend with two more goals. In the two clips of Hamblin’s goals you’ll see the finishing ability in close on full display.
On the first clip its a great pass across from Samuel Poulin to Hamblin and then the Bakersfield veteran does it himself for his second of the weekend in the second clip. Although the goals are entirely different they do share the fact that they were both scored from the left side up high and at the AHL level Hamblin is a decent finisher. In his AHL career the Edmonton native is shooting 15% and during this season alone Hamblin is shooting at a 23.6% clip (which will come down at some point). Whether he makes the big leagues or not, this is a player that can be viewed as almost a Brad Malone impact type. Teaching the younger guys how to be professionals, taking on a leadership role, and being a productive player means your words has some weight behind them. Excellent weekend and seven game run from Hamblin, he deserves all the praise.
Damien Carfagna – Defence
No points this past weekend for the Ohio State alumni, but once again Carfagna continues to show some interesting flashes in games. Both Carfagna and Akey are first year pros and when both are in the lineup they have been tied to the hip for a good part of the season now. Being first year pros is difficult enough, but having your defence partner also being a rookie is another challenge. Then you head over to the box score to see only six goals and 13 points in 42 games, but then you watch him and think “man if he could just be more consistent”.
The former Buckeye shows flashes of excellent work in transition using his feet and some sneaky skill he has. The two clips below show this to perfection.
Carfagna is at his best when he’s moving his feet and getting involved offensively. The left-shot defender doesn’t rush the puck to dump it in, but he tries to create something in transition. In previous articles I’ve shown videos of Carfagna getting involved in transition as the weakside defender and he needs to work on being consistent with these areas of his game. As you can see his mobility fuels his whole game, both offensively and defensively. It doesn’t show up in the box score, but when Carfagna is getting involved with his feet the Condors are usually pushing play in a positive direction with him on the ice, I would just like to see it more often.
Bakersfield is back in action Wednesday versus the Coachella Valley Firebirds who have a game in hand and are only two points back of the Condors for third. Like I stated in the introduction of the article, these games are early playoff games, a loss in regulation is a four point swing and they would still have a game in hand on you.
Matt Savoie was sent down to the Condors on Tuesday and will get in one game for Bakersfield. That is a massive helping hand coming down from the big club. Something to take note of is that the Condors have 722 penalty minutes as a team and it would help their playoff chances if they could keep that number down for the rest of the season. The young players continue to do the right things and with the big games coming down the stretch now they will be tested more than ever. I think they’re up for it.
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Team Canada’s 4-3 come-from-behind OT win over Team Czechia was an absolute thriller.
Team Canada fans’ heart rates likely hit all-time highs, while Edmonton Oilers fans were well-prepped for the drama, having seen late-game mayhem like this over the past couple of years, but one thing is for sure: that game was a classic and will be talked about for many years to come.
Team Canada punched their ticket to the semifinals against Team Finland with their huge win, and with that, below we highlight some big Team Canada performances and an area they’ll need to improve for the semis.
McDavid’s nine assists set Olympic record, ties Koivu & Selänne for points
I always like checking the comments online about Connor McDavid after he puts on a show, and after his two-assist effort against Team Czechia, one from Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne immediately stood out: “Connor McDavid is the best to ever put on the skates. Has to be. You just can’t be better at this sport than he currently is, surely, he’s maxed it all out.”
And the reason I highlighted that quote is that, after writing about McDavid for years, I sometimes run out of ways to describe just how amazing a hockey player the Oilers’ captain really is.
Against Team Czechia, he turned on the jets early, setting up his wingman, Macklin Celebrini, just three minutes into the game, and later assisted on Nathan MacKinnon’s power-play goal to tie the game in the second period. While the superstar centerman didn’t score himself, he was dangerous all night, leading the team with seven shots.
MCDAVID TO CELEBRINI
Canada takes the early lead against Czechia, 1-0
WATCH: https://t.co/sK1B7suMWn pic.twitter.com/HRlgTqQukw
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 18, 2026
Heading into the game against Team Czechia, McDavid had already set a new record for most points through the first three Olympic games by NHL players. By reaching nine points, he also broke the record for most points in a single Olympics by a Canadian NHL player.
That said, McDavid recorded his 11th point (two goals, nine assists) of the tournament, last game. In the process, his nine assists set a new Olympic record, and with his 11th point, he tied Teemu Selänne and Saku Koivu (2006) for the most points in a single Olympics by NHL players. Both of those Finnish stars achieved the feat in eight games — McDavid did it in just four.
A closer look at Nick Suzuki’s signature moment for Team Canada
When Sidney Crosby went down with an injury halfway through the second period last game, Team Canada needed someone to step up, and Nick Suzuki answered the bell.
The Montreal Canadiens’ captain moved back down the middle, playing with Mark Stone and Mitch Marner in stretches after Crosby left the game, and became an instant hero in the eyes of many Canadians who were holding their breath with Team Canada trailing late in the game.
Suzuki, who had missed an open net earlier, totally redeemed himself with an excellent tip to tie the game with just over three minutes remaining.
NICK SUZUKI TIES IT FOR CANADA
3-3
Deep breaths. Watch here: https://t.co/oTy7mwM1Un pic.twitter.com/emDJJdQgUI
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 18, 2026
But I want to especially zero in on his entire shift before the goal, because it truly shows how much Suzuki gave it his all on the play. He was on the ice for just under a minute, forechecking hard in Czechia’s end, and, as the centerman, he went back to handle his defensive duties.
He grabbed a rebound in Team Canada’s zone, likely exhausted from all the back-and-forth. The safe play as he skated through the neutral zone with the puck, while gassed, would have been to dump it, but Suzuki recognized he didn’t have linemates nearby to chase it and giving the puck away would have wasted precious seconds off the clock.
Instead, he dug deep, and with his last bit of energy, he carried the puck into the zone and maintained possession, ultimately setting up the play that led to his game-tying goal. A gutsy effort by the 26-year-old, and surely his signature moment while wearing the red and white of Team Canada and possibly the biggest goal of his life.
Better puck management is needed from Team Canada
Team Canada didn’t make it easy on their fans or themselves against Czechia. Against Finland in the semifinals, better puck management will go a long way toward keeping their supporters’ heart rates down.
On their first goal against, Mark Stone, who has had an excellent Olympics, turned over the puck with a cross-ice pass through the neutral zone. Radko Gudas intercepted it, skated it in, and Lucas Sedlak was credited with the goal after the puck deflected off Thomas Harley’s skate.
Czechia ties it 1-1
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/sK1B7suMWn pic.twitter.com/BFGxU0WB3G
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 18, 2026
On Czechia’s 3-2 goal, Harley’s shot was blocked by Tomas Hertl, who was already sprawled on the ice, with the puck popping out to Martin Nečas, who dropped it to Ondřej Palát, beating Jordan Binnington with 7:43 left in the game, and would’ve been the dagger tally, had it not been for Suzuki’s heroics.
Team Canada tied the game but failed to recognize just how aggressively Czechia was selling out defensively, throwing their bodies in front of every Team Canada shot. With 1:17 left, Devon Toews’ point shot was blocked by Nečas, who broke in alone before Binnington made a game-saving stop to force overtime.
Credit Czechia for two tremendous shot blocks in those moments, but there also needs to be better puck management and awareness of the risk from Team Canada — namely, what happens if a shot gets blocked? The Canadians learned the hard way on those plays and against Finland, better awareness and smarter puck management will be essential, especially with firepower like Sebastian Aho and Mikko Rantanen up front.
Marner is clutch when wearing the red and white Maple Leaf
Team Canada needed an OT hero, and while betting sites likely favoured McDavid, Celebrini or MacKinnon to score the OT winner, it was yet another one of their offensive weapons, Mitch Marner, who delivered, which is a testament to the team’s incredible depth.
In the extra session, Marner skated through two defenders and backhanded the puck perfectly past Lukáš Dostál, who had a fantastic game. The goal sent Team Canada’s bench into celebration, with an entire nation behind them, and punched their ticket to the semifinals.
MITCH MARNER
CANADA WINS CANADA WINS CANADA WINSpic.twitter.com/sKICnjLnA6
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) February 18, 2026
That said, Marner, who has five points (one goal, four assists) in this year’s Winter Olympics, isn’t a stranger to coming up clutch for Team Canada. Last year at the 4 Nations Face-off, he rose to the occasion twice. In the opening game against Sweden, with the score tied 3-3, Marner emerged as the OT hero, skating in and releasing a rocket of a wrister past Filip Gustavsson in front of a packed crowd at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
We thought that felt familiar
Mitch Marner added to his clutch @HockeyCanada goal resume today and it brought back shades of his OT heroics vs. Sweden at last year's #4Nations Face-Off!
Watch NHLers in action at the #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics on @NBCSports,… pic.twitter.com/zgGUxntpS6
— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2026
Then, in the gold medal game against Team U.S.A. at the 4 Nations Face-off, Marner was placed on a line with McDavid. The duo had been paired together earlier in the tournament but hadn’t found their best chemistry — yet they made magic when it mattered most. Marner found the Oilers’ captain in the slot, McDavid scored, and the rest, as they say, was history. Marner earned what was likely the biggest assist of his career.
Overall, there’s a feeling that Marner, now a Vegas Golden Knight, didn’t rise to the occasion often enough while wearing the blue and white Maple Leaf in Toronto — but put him in the red and white Maple Leaf for Team Canada, and he’s consistently come up clutch over the past year.
Binnington shows once again he’s a big-game goaltender
Raise your hand if you questioned Team Canada’s decision to select Jordan Binnington for the Olympics last December. If your hand’s up, you’re not alone. I’d imagine a lot of hockey fans were thinking the same thing.
Binnington’s NHL stats this season aren’t pretty. His .864 save percentage (SV%) with the St. Louis Blues ranks 80th in the NHL, and his 3.65 goals-against average (GAA) ranks 81st. Based on those numbers, it’s easy to understand why one might question not only his selection to Team Canada but also giving him the starter’s role. Yet the Blues’ netminder is proving that in a best-on-best tournament, he’s defying the stats and showing that numbers don’t always tell the full story.
Binnington, a former Stanley Cup winner and starter for Team Canada’s gold-winning team at last year’s 4 Nations Face-off, has a history of coming through in big moments — and he was at his bona fide best last game against Team Czechia.
Binnington was brilliant for the Canadians down the stretch, but none more so than his clutch stops on Nečas after the Toews giveaway with only 1:17 left in the game.
The Czechia forward went in all alone, and Team Canada’s netminder denied him twice. In that moment, even my subconscious had an energetic reaction to just how clutch he was. Most of the tournament, I’d written down “big save by Binnington,” but for that play, I simply wrote “BINNER!!!” Had that puck gone in, it likely would’ve been all she wrote for Team Canada’s quest for Olympic gold. On top of that, Canada’s netminder came up with another huge save in overtime, just before Marner scored.
Through three games, Binnington has posted a 1.65 GAA and a .922 SV%. Combined with the 0.960 SV% Logan Thompson posted in his one outing, Team Canada sits second in the Olympics in save percentage at .933 SV%, trailing only Finland’s 0.938 SV%. Call it a hunch, but you might want to bet the under in the semifinal game between Canada vs. Finland, responsibly, of course.
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“Are you not entertained?” asked Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator.
Those four words were fitting while watching the quarterfinal matchups in men’s Olympic hockey on Wednesday. We saw three consecutive games where a team tied the game in the final three and a half minutes and go to overtime. Canadian fans had elevated heart rates that kept climbing as the minutes ticked away in the third period until Nick Suzuki produced an amazing sequence that ended with him tying the game on a nifty deflection.
A nation exhaled and then celebrated again when Mitch Marner scored the overtime winner and Toronto Maple Leafs fans begrudgingly admitted he can produce in big moments. It was a wild Wednesday, and now we head to the semi-finals with Slovakia battling the USA and Canada facing Finland. Canada and Finland have each reached the semifinals in five of the six Olympics involving NHL players. Canada has the most Gold medals (3) while Finland has the most medals (4).
Finland defeated Canada in the bronze medal game in 1998, won silver in 2006 and bronze in 2010 and 2014. Canada won gold in 2002, 2010 and 2014.
This will be the first semi-final meeting between Canada and Finland and their first head-to-head matchup since the preliminary round in 2014, when Canada won 2-1 in overtime, and Drew Doughty scored both goals. Finland won 2-0 in the prelims in 2006, Canada won 2-1 in the quarterfinals in 2002, and Finland won the bronze 3-2 in 1998. Every game has been close and low scoring, and I expect we will see a similar result today.
Juuse Saros has been outstanding for Finland. He allowed three goals in his first start against Slovakia, but he’s only allowed three goals in the past three games. He enters the game with a 1.49 GAA and .938Sv%. But like any goalie, he has areas that are vulnerable, and I asked Kevin Woodley about areas Canada might look to attack.
Meanwhile, Jordan Binnington continues to make timely saves.
“The second goal against France was only the second low percentage goal Binnington has given up since early December,” said Woodley. “The one thing he’s done very well with the Blues is not allow the low percentage goals. I don’t think the goals v. Czechia were weak.”
Binnington has proven, once again, he will make key stops at big moments of the game and Canada will need that again vs. Finland.
Finland is a tough out in the Olympics, and every team gets up to play Canada as they are always the favourite and knocking them off is a massive achievement. I’d love to see a Canadian blowout, but I sense we will see another close game with increased heart rates across our hockey-mad country.
SNAPSHOTS…
— Connor McDavid has tied Teemu Selanne and Mikko Koivu for most points in a tournament (involving NHL players) with 11 and McDavid has two games to set the new mark. That will happen, and depending on the health of Sidney Crosby, McDavid could catch or pass Crosby who owns Canada’s record for most points in Olympics (with NHL players) at 15. Selanne owns the record for most points with 32.
— If Crosby can’t play that is obviously a big loss, but Nick Suzuki came up huge after Crosby left last game and Suzuki entered the Olympic break 12th in NHL scoring with 65 points. He was the fourth highest scoring Canadian in the NHL and he can produce in Crosby’s absence. Canada’s depth will be tested, but they have more than enough skill to offset the injury, if Crosby can’t play.
— I wonder if Jon Cooper considers moving up Bo Horvat. I’ve really liked him in limited minutes. He’s skated very well and he’s been very noticeable for me. I’d consider playing him with Nathan MacKinnon, who has been a little quiet at 5×5 when not playing with McDavid.
— Macklin Celebrini has tied Jarome Iginla for the most goals by a NHL Canadian in one Olympic tournament. His next goal would tie him for most by a Canadian and second most by any player. Pavel Bure holds the record with nine goals in 1998.
LINEUPS…
Canada
Celebrini – McDavid – Wilson
Hagel – MacKinnon – Jarvis
Marner – Suzuki – Stone
Marchand – Horvat – Reinhart
Bennett
Toews – Makar
Morrissey – Parayko
Harley – Doughty
Theodore
Binnington
I don’t have Crosby in the lines due to him leaving last game with an injury, but of course if he can play he’s on the roster. Cooper was very forthcoming about MacKinnon’s availability the day before the quarterfinal when he didn’t practice. He said it was maintenance day and he’d be in for sure. Cooper didn’t say the same about Crosby leading up to this game. That doesn’t mean he won’t play, but the possibility he doesn’t is higher.
Josh Morrissey has been skating and Canada could use him. Travis Sanheim only played 8:52 last game so he seems like the obvious guy to come out. I could see Theodore or Morrissey getting some shifts on the right side.
Finland…
Granlund – Hintz – Rantanen
Lehkonen – Aho – Teravainen
Luostarinen – Lundell – Kakko
Tolvanen – Haula – Armia
Kiviranta
Heiskanen – Lindell
Mikkola – Ristolainen
Maatta – Matinpalo
JokiharjuSaros
The Finns have been winning without relying on one line or player. Mikko Rantanen leads them in points with five while Sebastien Aho leads them with three goals. Canada has 10 different goal scorers so far and Finland has nine. Canada has scored 24 goals in their four games while Finland has 19 in their four. Canada scored 10 against France while Finland had 11 v. Italy. Finland has eight goals when playing Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland. They are winning with solid defensive play and sound goaltending. Look for them to play a controlled game. They don’t want to run and gun with Canada.
TONIGHT…
GDB Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Canada manages a 4-2 victory with an empty net goal.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid has his fifth straight multi-point game.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Tom Wilson buries his second goal of the tournament.
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For the first time ever, Connor McDavid is officially Captain Canada at the Olympics.
With Sidney Crosby out with an injury, McDavid will wear the ‘C’ for Team Canada on Friday in their semifinal matchup against Finland. Colorado Avalanche stars Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon will continue to serve as alternates.
Crosby first captained Team Canada at the 2014 Sochi Games, where the Canadians took home the Gold medal. He served the same role at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, both golden finishes for Canada. Crosby suffered an injury against Czechia in the quarterfinals, and is now out for the semifinals. Per IIHF rules, another player must wear the ‘C’ when one captain goes out, and with Crosby gone McDavid was one of the most speculated to take on that role.
“Everybody was looking to Sid in that tournament. Guys like (Drew) Doughty and (Brad) Marchand, the guys that have been there for a number of years, were the more vocal guys who stepped up,” Canadian coach Jon Cooper said, via Sportsnet. “But I’m seeing much more out of the group now, especially Connor … Not that he wasn’t comfortable, but I think there was a lot of uncertainty, especially because we hadn’t seen best-on-best and this group hadn’t been together for so long. In this tournament, he’s been fabulous.”
Of course, McDavid is no stranger to leadership. In 2016, one year after he was selected first overall by the Oilers, McDavid was named Edmonton’s captain at just 19 years old, the youngest captain in NHL history. He joined a rich history of Oilers captains, including Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. McDavid served as Canada’s alternate captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off and through the tournament in Milan so far.
Making his Olympic debut this year, McDavid has a tournament-leading 11 points, tallying two goals and nine assists in just four games. He famously scored the golden goal in overtime at the 4 Nations Face-Off, giving Canada the win over their American rivals.
McDavid will continue to anchor Canada’s top line, with Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson as wingers. In Crosby’s absence, Nick Suzuki will play third-line centre, with Seth Jarvis taking his role on the wing. Jordan Binnington gets the start for Canada, with puck drop scheduled for 8:40 MT.
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